Being punctual is also a passion of mine! Yourtime is just asvaluable as mine (an vice versa) and if I am late to meet you, mymessage is that yourtime is not as important as mine. This you can count on: unless something absolutely horrible hashappened to me (meaning hospitalization or worse!), I am NOT going tobe late to our appointment!

What has this passion forreal estate done for those in my life? It hasgiven my husband a fulltime job that he can do as a disabled head-of-household by way ofworking with me and my team and functioning as our CFO and ITspecialist. It pays for my boys to go to college. It keepsa roof over our heads and bread, for which I am so thankful, on ourtable. It has offered other professionals the opportunity toworkwith a grounded team who all share, not only the passion but, theprinciples and ethics of the entire team.

Oh,and it's given me a few (okay, maybe a BUNCH of) gray hairs! And, my diet and exercise regimen leaves alot to be desired. But, hey, all of that is physical and I can live with orovercomeanything! (Can't I?!)

My passion forbusiness has taken me to educational opportunities that I neverthought I'd partake in--real estatecourses that havetaught me thatthis old nurse is now in SALES! What? In college,I never, in a million years, thought that I could be so passionateabout a job in sales! Who would have thought that I would make the transition tosalesfrom nursing AND be so in love with my job?! Certainlynot me!

I am passionate about Charlotte NC! I know itprobably sounds hokie but, I LOVE my city! There isn't a day thatgoes by that I don't snap a photograph of something that I love aboutthis gorgeous city. There's something for everyone here ofallages, gender, religion and political views--and I am positivelypassionate about sharing Charlotte with the world!

I am passionateabout my Rotary Club and the communityservice in which we're involved on a weekly basis. The best part of Rotary is being involved withlike-minded professionals from all across the world who share mypassion for caring, giving and helping.

And, finally, I am passionate about blogging! Active Rain has completely changedmybusiness model--not just the blogging but, the things that I havelearned in this last, critical year in this business--because of beingan activeparticipant in the Rain. What about that? I am passionateabout Active Rain too!

I am passionate about the friends that I have made here inthe Rain. Honestly, I never thoughtthat I would partake in such a thing as blogging. Ithought Active Rain was a spin-off of Match.com! Like manyothers, Iworried that there would be 'stalkers' that I would have to dealwith! Seriously, the friends here have been amazingand I absolutely cannot wait to meet manyof them in person! What I think is amazing aboutsocial networking isthat we, at least here in the Rain, gravitate towards others who shareour passions and who value our same principles; because there are somany of us, it's easy to find manyjust like us!

As you can tell, I'mpassionate about almost everythingthat touches my life! I'm passionate about lifeitself. But, the one thing that has truly changed my life this pastyearis that I found this forum, like no other, that has taught me somuch about managing my real estatebusiness for which I am so passionate as well!

Moreover, it has given me an outlet for which I work on a daily basis. (Barring a couple of crazy, busy days when I thought I wasgoing tohave to be hospitalized because I couldn't log onto AR--is this passionor addiction? You tell me)! My schedule has beenmodifiedto incorporate writing about those things in which I am mostpassionate--and Active Rain has become the vehicle which I use tospread my passion of helping others, whether it be in regards to realestate, charity, family or business. (Those who share mypassion for life, business and Active Rainwill know exactlywhat I am talking about)!

My passion consumes me--day and night--in every aspect of my life. I have come to realize that if you're not passionateabout anything, then you're trulymissing out on life itself. Whether it's insaneto do so or not, I choose to jump in with both feet and allow myself togive my heart, mind and soul to whateveraspect of my life needs me at the moment! And,that's how I 'roll'--passionately!'

Comments

Debe ~ It is great to read you are able to live your life so passionately and do the things you love doing, surrounded by the people you love! We are lucky to have you sharing and inspiring us on ActiveRain.

Thanks so much Terrie! That is just so sweet--I do love to teach and help others so, hopefully I've given something back to Active Rain for all that I've received here. It's a WONDERFUL place to forge friendships, learn about life and real estate as well as attract business. I can't believe I didn't find it sooner!!

Hi Debe, I would consider you one of the most passionate people here in the Rain. Without a doubt you are certainly passionate about your faith, family, friends, and Charlotte (yes, the 4-legged one is really under family!) Like Terrie said we are lucky that you are here to inspire us in the Rain....so please keep BLOGGING!!

Debe- Yep this is a typical Debe Post, filled with everything we have come to expect from you :) The one thing I learned was you are in the Rotary. If I knew that before I had forgotten, and I agree it's nice to be around like minded people :)

Hi Teresa! Well, thank YOU! You're certainly one of those friends that I've made here in the Rain for which I am most grateful! I love sharing my passion for Charlotte AND our furbabies with you!

Hi Kathy- I guess I am pretty transparent, huh?! I don't think I've written enough about my passion for Rotary so, you have made me realize that I need to do just that! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hi Buddy Bruce! Funny, but I used to sing that with my boys when they were really small! That little tune is SO "me" and my hubby would tell you that I fit that PollyAnna mold too! Thanks for stopping by Bruce!

Hi Jesse- Thank you so much and I do believe that we have alot in common--you are certainly one of those like-minded members that I was drawn to from the very beginning. I can't WAIT until you and Kathy come to Charlotte (or heck, anywhere in NC!) for a visit! Queen of Charlottte's Chocloate Martini, coming UP!

Why not just throw out all those office policy manuals and adopt this essay instead. Doing the right thing by others isn't complicated, it just gets complicated when people try taking shortcuts from the straight and narrow. You certainly live a busy life and to your credit, seem to incorporate play time as well....smiling. Good luck with this contest, it's going to be a tough competition!

A couple of other items. How is your Mom doing? And I love the writings of Somerset Maugham :-)

Posted by Gail MacMillan over 10 years ago

Hi Randall! Any day! Thank you so much for your kind words--have a wonderful Monday!

Hi Barb- Well, thank you--you're certainly one of those friends here in the Rain that I'm passionate about keeping up with! You are positive about life and real estate as I am!

Hi Ceren- Thank you so much--I look forward to getting to know YOU better here in the Rain--positivity attracts positivity, that's for sure!

Hi Gail! WOW! Thank you so much! I hope to inspire a few folks in my lifetime to do the right thing! Thank you for asking about my Mom--she is doing great and so is my Dad--I think he had some pretty major post-traumatic issues to conquer, which he did beautifully. As for Somerset Maugham, are you saying that my writings compare?! Perhaps I should pursue my passion for writing?! HA!

C'mon, tell us the truth, you are really twins masquerading as one person Lol. As for the hokie part, I just do not believe someone can be passionate about their area of expertise without being a bit hokie. Comes with the territory (pun intended).

Posted by Frank & Jodi Orlando (Frank & Jodi Orlando Get Us A Home Realty Atlanta Homes Sale) over 10 years ago

Hi Susan! Thank you so much! You see--like-mindedness IS what it's all about!

Hi Don--Well, Mr. Mayor, Mr. President, Mr. REALTOR Extroidinaire...how do I get it all done?! I still owe you a book-read, for which I have not even had the time to purchase!

I recently had my physical done--I've been seeing my physician since 1985 and we know each other pretty well. I reminded him about my 'falling down' incidents again and we laughed at his diagnosis of simply being a 'klutz!' He said that if he had it to do again, he would invent a pill which gives him more time in the day (and only HIM!) and a pill that keeps him in shape so that he can eat what he wants to eat!

I only need ONE of those pills--the one that adds more time in the day...that would give me to option to get to the gym EVERY day and take care of all of my passions the way I'd like to!

Hi Frank! I love your pun hun! I totally agree that you MUST have a passion for the business--honestly, I don't know how you would survive right now if you didn't!! As for the twins--HA I always wanted to be a twin when I was a little girl! I only have one brother, 8 years younger--who just retired from a career in the Air Force (went to the Air Force Academy too). That's it; no twins!

Debe - You are an amazing lady and your passion and zest for life is so very apparent. I am so happy, and proud, that we have had the opportunity to 'meet' through AR. One of these days soon I'm going to drive down there and we're going to lunch!

Posted by Carol Smith (Casmi Photography) over 10 years ago

Debe LOL.....In one of your photos, perhaps at a library, one of Somerset's quotes ran along the ceiling. Besides seeing the little details, of course I think you write just like SM...you character ;-)

Posted by Gail MacMillan over 10 years ago

Hi Carol! Well, thank you! I'm so happy to have met you as well and I cannot wait for you to head my way! I may be coming there for continuing education this year so, you just never know--it may be sooner than we think ;-)

Hi Gail! Gotcha'! That was at our restaurant, Mickey & Mooch in the piano bar! I had not noticed that quote was in my photo--my, how observant you are!

I'd like to do a blog, but yours is just so overwhelming, I fear I'd have no time to do anything else. You do seem to pack a lot of activities into a days work. I always go away from your blog learning something even though I do not always comment. Thanks for your guidance.

Hi Wayne! This is truly one of the nicest comments I've ever received! Thank you so much. Now, I have to say that I just happen to have a passion for writing--that makes it easy for me to get things done pretty efficienetly. HOWEVER, you CAN blog and you SHOULD be blogging too! Just take tiny, baby steps like I did and you'll be fine--you just have to hang in there and be tenacious with it. The more you learn, the easier it will be for you to share your knowledge in your blog--just go with it!

Thanks again for your incredibly kind words and best of luck with your own blog! Let me know if you have any questions or need any help with blogging--I'm certainly NOT an expert but, I know enough to be able to direct you to the right person to get the answer if I don't know it!

Hi Debe, I was looking for this and waiting for your "Passion" post. I just got mine in this morning and have to tell you that we both have such a passion for living and we do indeed share a number of other specific beliefs and the ways we appraoch similar subjects for different vantage points. Great post and I am so glad to have met you here!

Debe, you are just adorable!!! I think you have a knack for getting people excited and passionate about what is important in their lives. And loving what your doing is the secret to life and having a strong faith brings that too.

I am not surprised by any of the things you wrote, as you are famous on here for your positive and passionate outlook on everything you do !

Fabulous post - it made me feel even more positive for the day :o)

Cheers !

Sheldon

Posted by Sheldon Neal, That British Agent Bergen County NJ (Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited) over 10 years ago

Hi Russell! Well, thank you so much! I do need to get over and read yours as well. I am SO glad to have met you here too--I think that like-minded members do seem to congregate together and you are certainly one that I have been drawn to here in the Rain!

Hi Kim! You are just so sweet! Thank you so much--I should have been a motivator, huh?! It's really hard to get me down about anything so, that would be the perfect job for me!! You are so right about faith being a motivator and loving life just sets the stage for passion and positivity in life.

Sheldon, dear Sheldon! You are so kind! I wouldn't go so far as to say 'famous!!!' I'm glad though, that I could help make your day brighther--although you don't seem to be the type of person to need anything to lift your positive sould up!!

I have been trying to get over to this since last night! I have become hopelessly addicted to AR! You are part of the reason I got hooked. I stared reading your blog posts....now I have to admit I felt like no way could I do that...but your know I thought I have to just jump in and start...and find my own style etc...

So how do I know I am addicted to AR..well I was reading your post in bed on my iphone! That is totally pathetic! And when the dang thing froze I have been trying all day to get here and finish this post!!!!

Hi Lori! Silly girl! I'm still chuckling at your comment--on the iPhone in bed, huh?! We're BOTH hopelessly addicted I guess--I wouldn't have it any other way! I am so glad that you jumped in and started playing in the Rain. You see? You're doing beautifully and now you're addicted! Perhaps there's a 12-step program for us somewhere out there?! HA!

AND, I SO want an iPhone--we use Verizon wireless; I absolutely love their service and have been with them since before they WERE Verizon! Anyway, everyone that I know that has an iPhone absolutely LOVES it--now, I don't know if they take theirs to bed with them or not but, they love them nonetheless!! ;-)

I tried writing a passion blog post for the contest, but I came up with a list of 517 things that I was passionate about.... LOL. I tried to reorganize them, but when I did that I had a 517-way tie for #1.

I really enjoyed reading about your passions. Thanks.

Posted by Not a real person over 10 years ago

Holy smokes Debe you got some PASSION going on in here!! Great job with your post...I love all the pictures too:)

Hi Debe, Congrats! You are beautiful inside & out and passionate with a capitol P! I couldn't wait to read your post. They are all eagarly awaited! Everything that you do Debe is filled with enthusiam and passion! Like you, I feel the same way about my clients. I want everything to be perfect for them, right down to the last detail. Thank you Debe for sharing so much of yourself with everyone here in the Rain. BTW- your nvu & photo tutorial really helped me make better posts. Again thank you. You're awesome!